COMMENTARY

That's it from this match. Stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma's 200th ODI game and debutant Shubman Gill's special day was spoiled by Trent Boult and incurred a heavy defeat on India. Cricketing action between the two sides continues with another ODI still to be played. The 5th ODI will be held on 3rd February at Wellington. That match begins at 1500 local (0200 GMT). Till then, take care. Cheers!

New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson, says he did not expect the ball to swing this much. Credits the way his bowlers bowled. Further adds it was one of those days when everything went according to plan. Mentions it was great to put India under pressure by taking wickets at regular intervals and is also happy to chase this down easily. Ends by saying he is looking forward to the game in Wellington.

Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma, says it is one of their worst performances with the bat for a long time. Credits the Kiwi bowlers for the way they bowled. Reckons the conditions were not easy and they could not cope with it. Further adds the wicket was good to bat on but they could not apply themselves. States it is always challenging when the ball is swinging but they still expected his team to put up a good show. He hopes to learn from the mistakes. Ends by saying they will be giving their best in the next game too.

Man of the Match, Trent Boult, says it was good the ball was moving around and he made the most of it. He is happy that they chased the score easily. Admits he is quite satisfied with his performance. Mentions it was a group effort and says he was well-supported by Colin. Informs today's plan was to bowl it full and target the stumps. Ends by saying the series has been a poor one so far and they are happy they have won one here.

Earlier in the day. Trent Boult wrecked havoc with the ball and his 5-wicket haul along with Colin de Grandhomme's 3-fer bundled out India for 92 setting up an easy chase for the Kiwi batters.

There was nothing much the Indian bowlers could have done. Defending 92 in a 50 over game was always going to be an impossible task. Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up the two wickets India got.

It was a walk in the park for the New Zealand batsmen in the second innings chasing a under-par score of 93. Guptill started the innings with a six and followed that up with two consecutive more boundaries. He was dismissed in the 4th ball of the first over. India got the wicket of Kane Williamson but it was just a mere consolation as Henry Nicholls and Ross Taylor did a professional job and finished off the game.

End of over 15 ( 16 Runs )

NZ 93/2

Ross Taylor* 37(25)

Henry Nicholls 30(42)

14.4

Yuzvendra Chahal to Ross Taylor

4

FOUR, FOUR! Shorter around off and Taylor cuts it through backward point to finish the game. NEW ZEALAND WIN THE MATCH BY 8 WICKETS.

14.3

Yuzvendra Chahal to Ross Taylor

6

SIX, SIX! Tossed up on middle and leg, Taylor heaves it over mid-wicket and into the stands for a maximum. Just 4 runs required now to wrap up this game.

30 runs for Ross Taylor

14.2

Yuzvendra Chahal to Henry Nicholls

1

1 run, Shorter outside off, punches it to long on and rotates the strike.

30 runs for Henry Nicholls

14.1

Yuzvendra Chahal to Ross Taylor

1

1 run, Tossed up outside off, Taylor hits it towards point. Rayudu there puts in a dive and saves a boundary. He cannot hold onto it which allows them to take single.

End of over 14 ( 2 Runs )

NZ 81/2

Henry Nicholls* 29(41)

Ross Taylor 26(22)

13.6

Kuldeep Yadav to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Tosses it above the eye line but it is outside off, left alone.

13.5

Kuldeep Yadav to Ross Taylor

1

1 run, Shortish and it is whipped towards deep backward square leg for a run.

13.4

Kuldeep Yadav to Ross Taylor

0

no run, Flighted ball on off, Taylor blocks it out.

13.3

Kuldeep Yadav to Henry Nicholls

1

1 run, Plays the paddle sweep towards fine leg and bags a run.

13.2

Kuldeep Yadav to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, On the stumps, defended.

13.1

Kuldeep Yadav to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Slower through the air outside off, left alone.

Kuldeep Yadav is on now.

End of over 13 ( 15 Runs )

NZ 79/2

Ross Taylor* 25(20)

Henry Nicholls 28(37)

12.6

Yuzvendra Chahal to Ross Taylor

6

SIX, SIX!! Two in two. This is tossed up on middle, Taylor gets on one knee and slogs it over mid-wicket again for another maximum. Ross doesn't want to go for lunch here. Seems like he has other plans.

12.5

Yuzvendra Chahal to Ross Taylor

6

SIX, SIX! Flighted on middle and leg, Taylor heaves it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

12.4

Yuzvendra Chahal to Ross Taylor

0

no run, Flighted outside off, Ross attempts a sweep but it misses.

12.3

Yuzvendra Chahal to Henry Nicholls

1

1 run, On the pads, Nicholls flicks it to mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

12.2

Yuzvendra Chahal to Ross Taylor

1

1 run, Slow on middle, Ross sweeps it towards fine leg and takes a run. The Indian players appeal but the umpire is not interested.

12.1

Yuzvendra Chahal to Henry Nicholls

1

1 run, Half a chance! Tossed up on middle, Nicholls comes down the track and chips it straight. It goes over Chahal's head. He cannot get his hand to it. The batsmen pick up a single.

End of over 12 ( 8 Runs )

NZ 64/2

Henry Nicholls* 26(35)

Ross Taylor 12(16)

11.6

Hardik Pandya to Henry Nicholls

1

1 run, That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads. They pick up a single.

11.5

Hardik Pandya to Henry Nicholls

4

FOUR, FOUR! CRISP! A perfect cover drive. Full and outside off, Nicholls takes his front foot towards the ball and then times it through covers. It went right off the middle and it races to the fence.

11.4

Hardik Pandya to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Length ball again on middle, HN looks to put bat on ball but misses. It hits him high on the pads.

11.3

Hardik Pandya to Henry Nicholls

2

2 runs, Shortish and outside off, Nicholls cuts it past the diving fielder at point. The thrid man fielder runs to his left and keeps it down to two.

11.2

Hardik Pandya to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, On the fuller side, it is driven back to the bowler.

11.1

Hardik Pandya to Ross Taylor

1

1 run, On the shorter side, Taylor goes back and pulls it to deep square leg for a run.

End of over 11 ( 5 Runs )

NZ 56/2

Ross Taylor* 11(15)

Henry Nicholls 19(30)

10.6

Yuzvendra Chahal to Ross Taylor

1

1 run, On the pads, Ross flicks it to mid-wicket and takes a single.

10.5

Yuzvendra Chahal to Ross Taylor

0

no run, Shorter in length, Ross cuts it straight to the fielder at point.

10.4

Yuzvendra Chahal to Ross Taylor

0

no run, On middle and leg, Taylor pushes it to the fielder at mid on.

10.3

Yuzvendra Chahal to Ross Taylor

0

no run, Flighted on middle, Ross calmly blocks it off his front foot.

10.2

Yuzvendra Chahal to Ross Taylor

0

no run, Tossed up on off and middle, Taylor taps this back to the bowler.

10.1

Yuzvendra Chahal to Ross Taylor

4

FOUR, FOUR! Starts with a real lose delivery. Full toss on the pads, Ross loves the on side and won't miss out on that one. He flicks it away through square leg for a boundary.

Powerplay 2 has been signalled. Now a maximum of 4 fielders can be placed outside the circle till the 40th over. However it looks like it won't last till then.

End of over 10 ( 1 Runs )

NZ 51/2

Henry Nicholls* 19(30)

Ross Taylor 6(9)

9.6

Hardik Pandya to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, On a length, Nicholls defends it.

9.5

Hardik Pandya to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Back of a length delivery on off. The ball swings away after pitching. Nicholls tries to play but gets beaten.

9.4

Hardik Pandya to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Length delivery outside off, Nicholls defends it off the front foot.

9.3

Hardik Pandya to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Full on middle and off, Henry drives it to the fielder at mid off.

9.2

Hardik Pandya to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Length delivery pitching on leg, the ball goes away after pitching. Nicholls looks to flick but it flicks off his pad. The Indian player all go up in appeal. Thye have a brief discussion but Pandya was not sure and they decide to opt against the review.

9.1

Hardik Pandya to Ross Taylor

1

1 run, Good length delivery on off, the ball comes in after pitching. Ross nudges it to mid on and takes a wuick single.

End of over 9 ( 5 Runs )

NZ 50/2

Henry Nicholls* 19(25)

Ross Taylor 5(8)

8.6

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Length again on off, Nicholls goes back and pushes it to mid on.

8.5

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Angles it into the batter, Nicholls tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

8.4

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ross Taylor

1

1 run, On the pads, it is worked towards fine leg for an easy single.

50 runs for NZ

8.3

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ross Taylor

2

2 runs, Up and over! Not off the middle but hit well enough to clear mid off and collect two.

8.2

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ross Taylor

2

2 runs, Good shot! Full and outside off, Taylor leans into it and times it through extra cover, Chahal from mid off gives it a chase and keeps it down to two.

8.1

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ross Taylor

0

no run, Good length on off, it is kept out.

End of over 8 ( 6 Runs )

NZ 45/2

Henry Nicholls* 19(23)

Ross Taylor 0(4)

7.6

Hardik Pandya to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Back of a length this time and Henry calmly blocks it.

7.5

Hardik Pandya to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Fuller on middle and off, Nicholls follows that six with a front foot defense.

7.4

Hardik Pandya to Henry Nicholls

6

SIX, SIX! Effortless! Full on the pads, Nicholls flicks it uppishly and elegantly over the square leg for a maximum.

7.3

Hardik Pandya to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Outside off, Nicholls shoulders arms to it.

7.2

Hardik Pandya to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, This time he is able to flick it but straight to the fielder.

7.1

Hardik Pandya to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, On the leg stump to start off with. Henry looks to flick it but misses. The ball hits him on the pads and the players appeal. The umpire turns it down as it looked to be going down the leg side.

Hardik Pandya is on.

End of over 7 ( 0 Runs )

NZ 39/2

Ross Taylor* 0(4)

Henry Nicholls 13(17)

6.6

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ross Taylor

0

no run, BEATEN! Length delivery outside off, Taylor looks to play at it but gets beaten.

maiden over bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar

6.5

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ross Taylor

0

no run, Good length delivery on middle and off. Taylor defends it off his front foot.

6.4

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ross Taylor

0

no run,Good ball. Length delivery pitching outside off, the ball jags back in after pitching. Taylor looks to flick but misses. The ball hits the back pad. There is a huge appeal from the Indian players but the umpire turns it down. Kumar is not too keen to review it and walks back. Height was an issue.

6.3

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ross Taylor

0

no run, Full on middle and leg, Taylor defends it to strat his innings.

Ross Taylor is the new man in.

6.2

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Kane Williamson

W

out, OUT! Williamson is a goner. Back of a length delivery. The ball swings away just a tad after pitching. Williamson tries to defend it but gets an outside edge. The ball goes behind to Dinesh Karthik who takes a very simple catch.

6.1

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Kane Williamson

0

no run, On a length around off, Kane defends it.

End of over 6 ( 4 Runs )

NZ 39/1

Henry Nicholls* 13(17)

Kane Williamson 11(16)

5.6

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

0

no run,Outside off, Nicholls has no interest at playing that one.

5.5

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Back of a length, Nicholls keeps it away with a solid defense.

5.4

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Full outside off, Henry times his drive to perfection but straight to the fielder at cover.

5.3

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Length delivery on middle and off, Henry follows up that boundary with a solid front foot defense.

5.2

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

4

FOUR, FOUR! Shorter in length, Henry rocks onto his back foot and pulls it powerfully through mid-wicket. The ball races away to the fence. Just 54 more runs required now.

5.1

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Length delivery outside off, Henry leaves it alone.

End of over 5 ( 4 Runs )

NZ 35/1

Kane Williamson* 11(16)

Henry Nicholls 9(11)

4.6

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Kane Williamson

0

no run, Length delivery outside off, Williamson plays it late and guides it to the fielder at short third man.

4.5

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Kane Williamson

4

FOUR, FOUR! Beautiful! Length delivery outside, Williamson waits for the ball to come and hits it through point for a boundary.

4.4

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Kane Williamson

0

no run, Once again on middle and leg, Kane flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.

4.3

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Kane Williamson

0

no run, Back of a length around off, Williamson hits it to the fielder at point.

4.2

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Kane Williamson

0

no run, On middle and leg, Williamson flicks it straight to the fielder at mid-wicket. He is gutted with himself as he feels he should have found the fence.

4.1

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Kane Williamson

0

no run, Away swinger to start off the over. It is on a length outside off, Kane leaves it alone.

End of over 4 ( 6 Runs )

NZ 31/1

Henry Nicholls* 9(11)

Kane Williamson 7(10)

3.6

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Good length delivery outside off, Henry leaves it alone.

3.5

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Full outside off, Nicholls drives it to the fielder at mid off.

3.4

Khaleel Ahmed to Kane Williamson

1

1 run, On middle and leg, Kane flicks it away towards mid-wicket and rotates the strike.

3.3

Khaleel Ahmed to Kane Williamson

4

FOUR, FOUR! Classic Williamson. Shorter on length outside off. Williamson gets on top of the bounce on that one and cuts it away through point for a boundary.

3.2

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

1

1 run, Back of a length, Nicholls tries to play it on the off side but gets and inside edge. The ball goes towards fine leg and the batsmen pick up a single.

3.1

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Length delivery on off, Nicholls defends it.

End of over 3 ( 2 Runs )

NZ 25/1

Kane Williamson* 2(8)

Henry Nicholls 8(7)

2.6

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Kane Williamson

0

no run, BEAUTY! Angles this into the off pole first, it pitches and then shapes away. Williamson looks to defend but gets beaten.

2.5

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Kane Williamson

0

no run, Excellent line and length! On off and around a length. Blocked.

2.4

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Kane Williamson

0

no run, A touch fuller this time and Kane blocks it.

2.3

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Kane Williamson

0

no run, Back of a length again and Williamson pushes it to covers.

2.2

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Kane Williamson

2

2 runs, Length delivery on middle, Williamson defends it with soft hands. The ball hits the outer half of the bat and goes towards third man for a couple.

2.1

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Kane Williamson

0

no run, Length delivery outside off, Kane leaves it alone.

End of over 2 ( 9 Runs )

NZ 23/1

Henry Nicholls* 8(7)

Kane Williamson 0(2)

1.6

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

1.5

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

4

FOUR, FOUR! Takes full toll of the Free Hit. It is full and on off, Nicholls clears his front leg and hits it over the cover fielder and into the fence. Second boundary of the over and the Kiwis are off to a flier.

1.5

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

1nb

no ball, no run, NO BALL! Free Hit coming up! On off, Nicholls blocks it. Khaleel has overstepped by just.

1.4

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Outside off, left alone.

1.3

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Fuller in length on off, it is stroked to mid off.

1.2

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

4

FOUR, FOUR! Nicholls too is off the mark with a boundary! Short and it sits up to be hit. He goes back and pulls it over square leg for a boundary.

1.1

Khaleel Ahmed to Henry Nicholls

0

no run, Good length on off, Nicholls keeps it out.

Khaleel Ahmed to bowl from the other end.

End of over 1 ( 14 Runs )

NZ 14/1

Kane Williamson* 0(2)

Henry Nicholls 0(0)

0.6

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Kane Williamson

0

no run, Back of a length delivery on off, Williamson looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Luckily for him, he doesn't chop it onto his stumps.

0.5

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Kane Williamson

0

no run, Good length delivery on middle and off, Williamson starts with a front foot defense.

Kane Williamson is the new man in.

0.4

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Martin Guptill

W

out, OUT! Guptill is in too much of a hurry and has to walk back. Length delivery on middle and leg, Guptill tries to flick it on the on side but is early in his shot. It finds the leading edge and goes straight to point. Hardik Pandya there takes an easy catch and gives them the breakthrough. But with just 93 required one can say he has provided them the platform, if they ever needed one in this chase.

0.3

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Martin Guptill

4

FOUR, FOUR! On middle and leg, a bit shorter in length this time, Guptill flicks it away through square leg for another boundary. He wants to finish this off early.

0.2

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Martin Guptill

4

FOUR, FOUR! Overpitched on middle and leg, Guptil hits it straight through mid on for a boundary.

0.1

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Martin Guptill

6

SIX, SIX! Brilliant start. Full on middle and leg, Guptill lofts it over mid-wicket for a maximum. What a start for New Zealand.